Managing Adverse Events in the Cancer Patient Lisa A Thompson, PharmD, BCOP Assistant Professor University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Learning Objectives Describe the etiology and severity grading of nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and hand-foot syndrome in patients receiving cancer treatment Identify potential causes and risk factors of these adverse events Appropriately manage these adverse events Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea/Vomiting Ranked by patients as one of the most feared adverse events of cancer treatment Complications include Decreased QOL, performance status Electrolyte disturbances, dehydration Weight loss Esophageal tears Anxiety Higher healthcare resource utilization If uncontrolled can compromise adherence and treatment outcomes Passik et al. J Pain Sympt Manag 2001. 21(2):113-120
5 Types of CINV Acute Occurs within 24 hrs of chemo, onset usually 1-2 hrs Delayed Occurs 24 hrs after chemo, peaks at 48-72 hrs Breakthrough Occurs despite preventative therapy Refractory Occurs despite appropriate preventative and breakthrough therapy Anticipatory Learned or conditioned response, occurs before acute CINV symptoms are expected CINV Multiple causes in oncology population Chemotherapy Radiation GI surgeries Disease-related Effect of other medications Complex pathology involving multiple neurotransmitters Serotonin (acute, refractory) Dopamine (acute, refractory) Substance P (delayed) Prostaglandins Acetylcholine, histamine, opiate, cannabinoids Passik et al. J Pain Sympt Manag 2001. 21(2):113-120 Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 1999; 729-64 Antiemetic Agents 5-HT3 receptor antagonists* Dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron, ramosetron, tropisetron NK-1 receptor antagonists* Aprepitant, fosaprepitant Corticosteroids* Dexamethasone Atypical antipsychotic Olanzapine Benzodiazepines Lorazepam Phenothiazines Prochlorperazine, promethazine Butyrophenones Haloperidol Benzamide analogs Metoclopramide Cannabinoids Dronabinol Anticholinergics Scopolamine patch
History of CINV History of alcohol abuse Age <50yo Female gender Emetogenic Risk History of motion sickness or morning sickness Disease Highly emetogenic chemotherapy Anxiety Drug Specific Risk Factors New classification schema in 2005 based on proportion of patients who experience emesis in the absence of effective anti-emetic prophylaxis: High risk (> 90%) Moderate risk (30-90%) Low risk (10-30%) Minimal risk (<10%) Management of CINV Highly emetic NK1 receptor antagonist on Day 1-3 (Day 1 for fosaprepitant) 5-HT3 receptor antagonist on Day 1 Corticosteroid on Days 1-3 (or 4) Breakthrough agent Moderately emetic 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (palonosetron preferred) on Day 1 Corticosteroid on Days 1-3 Breakthrough agent NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Antiemesis version 1.2012 nccn.org
Management of CINV Low emetic risk Corticosteroid (dexamethasone 8mg on Day 1) Breakthrough agent Minimal emetic risk Breakthrough agent only NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Antiemesis version 1.2012 nccn.org Management of CINV Prophylaxis is key Administered 30-60 minutes prior to chemotherapy Regimens tailored to level of emetogenic risk Account for risk of delayed N/V (3-5 days out) Should be taken scheduled, not PRN Management of Breakthrough CINV PRN agent available for breakthrough Different mechanism of action If effective, schedule that agent If refractory, additional agent Escalate prophylactic regimen prior to next dose of chemotherapy regimen Administer appropriate hydration, supportive measures
Managing CINV with Oral Chemotherapy Managed according to emetic risk High-moderate 5-HT3 receptor antagonist daily Breakthrough agent Low-minimal Breakthrough agent only If CINV, schedule dopaminergic agent NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Antiemesis version 1.2012 nccn.org Treatment of Anticipatory CINV Prevention is key Benzodiazepine Lorazepam or alprazolam night before and morning of treatment Behavorial techniques Acupuncture Hypnosis Relaxation techniques Music therapy NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Antiemesis version 1.2012 nccn.org Olanzapine for CINV 251 patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy Olanzapine + palonosetron + dexamethasone (n=121) Aprepitant + palonosetron + dexamethasone (n=120) Olanzapine Aprepitant CR (acute) 97% 87% p=ns CR (overall) 77% 73% p=ns Emesis (overall) 28 16 p=ns Navari et al. J Supp Onc 2011. 9(5):188-195
Diarrhea in the Cancer Patient Disease related Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency Neuroendocrine tumors Infectious Dietary Lactose Other Medications Treatment related Surgical procedures (e.g. bowel resection) Chemotherapy Incidence up to 82% Cytotoxic chemotherapy Oral targeted agents Immunotherapy (ipilimumab) Radiation Benson et al. J Clin Oncol 2004. 22(14):2918-2926 Maroun et al. Curr Oncol 2007. 14(1):13-20 Diarrhea Mild/Moderate Grade 1: increase of <4 stools/day or mild increase in ostomy output Grade 2: increase of 4-6 stools/day or nocturnal stools or moderate increase in ostomy output Severe Grade 3: increase of 7+ stools/day or incontinence or severe increase in ostomy output limiting self-care ADL; require IV hydration Grade 4: Life-threatening consequences requiring urgent intervention CTCAE v4.03: June 14, 2010 US Dept of Health and Human Services. Diarrhea Management Grade 1/2, no complicating symptoms Supportive management BRAT diet Oral hydration Identify and manage potential causes If non-infectious, initiate pharmacologic therapy Loperamide 4mg at first diarrhea, then 2mg every 2-4h until controlled x12 hours (max 24mg/day) If uncontrolled after 24-48h, additional work-up Consider additional agent Diphenoxylate/atropine Opioids Octreotide 100-150mcg SQ TID Benson et al. J Clin Oncol 2004. 22(14):2918-2926
Diarrhea Management Grade 3/4 or grade 2 with complicating symptoms Intravenous fluid and electrolyte support Obtain stool sample, administer empiric antibiotics as needed Initiate pharmacologic treatment Administer octreotide if uncontrolled on loperamide or if complicating s/s are present Benson et al. J Clin Oncol 2004. 22(14):2918-2926 Palmar Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Hand Foot Syndrome Reported in 6-62% of patients treated with certain chemotherapy drugs/regimens Capecitabine, infusional fluorouracil Doxorubicin Cytarabine Cyclophosphamide Vinorelbine Docetaxel Sorafenib, sunitinib Kang et al. J Clin Oncol 2010. 28(24):3824-3829 Kloos et al. J Clin Oncol 2009. 27(10):1675-1684 Grading of Hand Foot Syndrome (HFS) Initial presentation: redness, swelling, tingling, discomfort Progress to pain, swelling, desquamation, ulceration, blistering, skin breakdown, secondary infection Grade 1 Minimal skin changes or dermatitis without pain Grade 2 Skin changes with pain limiting instrumental ADL Grade 3 Severe skin changes with pain limiting self-care ADL CTCAE v4.03: June 14, 2010 US Dept of Health and Human Services.
Prevention and Management Moisture Apply thick creams to hands and feet twice daily Minimize irritation Avoid products with perfumes, dyes, alcohol Avoid hot water Minimize friction Comfortable-fitting shoes with socks Cool compresses Consider dose-reduction or treatment interruption per product labeling Kang et al. J Clin Oncol 2010. 28(24):3824-3829 Pyridoxine 360 patients initiating treatment with capecitabine Pyridoxine 200mg daily (n=180) Placebo (n=180) Pyridoxine Placebo Overall HFS 140 (77.8%) 147 (81.7%) p=ns Grade 2/3 57 (31.7%) 55 (30.6%) p=ns Median cumulative capecitabine dose until HFS 70,000mg/m2 (60,010.9-79,989.1) 70,000mg/m2 (69,384.8-70,615.2) p=0.ns Kang et al. J Clin Oncol 2010. 28(24):3824-3829 Urea-Based Cream 868 patients initiating treatment with sorafenib Urea-based cream (n=439) BSC (n=432) Urea-based cream BSC Overall HFS 246 (56%) 318 (73.6%) p<0.0001 Grade 2 96 (21.9%) 126 (29.2%) p=0.1638 Median time to first HFS event (days) 84 (45-93) 34 (29-43) p<0.001 Ren et al. J Clin Oncol 2012. 30(suppl; abstr 4008)
Summary Prophylaxis is key for managing CINV Tailored to patient s emetic risk Breakthrough medication available Diarrhea may be multifactorial Early management is key HFS may occur frequently with certain chemotherapy agents Prevention and early management is crucial